Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
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When a nip hits the air, and you’re ready for soup, this copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup hits the spot. Its creamy texture is silky smooth and delicious. The spices give it a fall flavor—full of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of pepper. And the curry will warm you from the inside out.
This Panera butternut squash soup is perfect for sitting in front of a fire with your favorite blanket and a book! The yellow color and thick texture say fall has arrived. It’s a hearty meal that works well with bread and salad.
I received free produce from Melissa’s produce and light brown sugar provided by Dixie Crystals; but the opinions on the deliciousness of this soup and these products are entirely my own!

I am thrilled to be joining many other bloggers for Fall Flavors Week this week, be sure to enter for a chance to win one of the amazing prizes provided by our sponsors at the end of the post. Check out all of my posts from this fun week; Fall Charcuterie Board, Gluten-Free Apple Pie, Graham Cracker Crumble, and this easy Pear Bundt cake.
If you are a soup lover like us, you will love these reader and family favorites; like this Creamy Poblano Chicken Soup, another winning Panera recipe Broccoli Cheese Soup and this Chicken & Wild Rice Soup!
Are you looking for something for a fall party? This autumn squash soup fits the bill. It’s easy to make and is always a big hit! You can control the level of spice to meet your needs. It works for both lunch or dinner!
Panera Autumn Squash Soup is also wonderful for a romantic dinner. It can be sophisticated or countrified depending on the dishes you choose to serve. So break out the candles and set the table for this scrumptious soup.
Primary Ingredients

- Butternut squash | The heart of this recipe, providing the fall flavor and color, this delicious squash is from Melissa’s Produce.
- Vegetable broth | It adds the perfect flavor and you can substitute beef or chicken broth.
- Pumpkin puree | Not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling. It provides a natural sweetness that is a beautiful compliment to the squash.
- Apple Juice or Apple Cider | The secret ingredient! Adds a delicious sweetness, naturally! Not to be confused with apple cider vinegar!
- Spices & Seasonings | A combination of fresh ginger, cinnamon, kosher salt, pepper, and a dash of nutmeg gives the dish a kick of flavor.
- Cream Cheese | The best secret to making this autumn squash soup rich and smooth is the cream cheese.
- Brown Sugar | Using Dixie Crystals brown sugar is a must because it adds the right amount of sweetness and it’s non-GMO! WHOOT!
- Chili Pepitas | Also called pumpkin seeds are made with cayenne pepper, olive oil, salt, and raw pepitas, they add a nice crunch.
Instructions
Full list of measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 | How to Cut Butternut Squash
Wash squash and dry, using a sharp knife on a sturdy cutting board, slice off the ends of the squash. Using a Y Peeler or regular vegetable peeler, peel away the tough skin of the squash.

Cut the squash in half, then again in quarters to reveal the seeds and “guts” of the squash. Using a grapefruit spoon or regular sharper spoon, scoop out the seeds.
Using a large sharp knife, chop the butternut squash into 1 inch cubes.

Step 2 | Making Autumn Squash Soup
In a large pot, heat the oil and add the shallots and saute for a few minutes.
Add the squash, carrots, salt, and pepper, cooking and stirring until the veggies soften. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Mix in the garlic, ginger, brown sugar, curry powder, and cook until the veggies begin to caramelize.

Add the water, broth, and apple juice to the pan and bring to a boil.
Simmer the soup until the squash can easily be pierced with a fork.

Remove from the heat. Stir in butter, cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and brown sugar.

Prepare the Chili Pepitaas by adding to a hot pan with melted butter or oil. Sprinkle with salt and chili powder. Cook until they begin to pop and stir constantly.
Puree with an immersion blender or high speed blender until smooth and creamy, or see notes below for silky smooth butternut squash soup. Making Autumn Squash soup in your Vitamix makes it so easy!

TFC Pro Tips
- Pro Tip 1 | A silkier, smoother butternut squash soup using a Vitamix. A high speed blender such as a Vitamix or Blendtec have better motors and blades than your average blender, it is worth the investment. Try this Potato Leek Soup too!
- Pro Tip 2 | You can garnish the soup with freshly grated nutmeg. If you love creamy textures, try a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche before serving and definitely some toasted Chile Pepitas!
- Pro Tip 3 | Panera Autumn Squash Soup can be frozen for up to 3 months! This silicone freezer tray is a great way to keep your soup for later, plus it’s best to leave the cream out if you are planning on freezing.
- Pro Tip 4 | To achieve the same silkiness as Panera, I recommend using a high speed blender and if necessary, puree in batches. Do not fill more than half way on a regular blender, this can cause the top to explode.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the soup is pretty thick already, you can make it even thicker. Adding starch will thicken the soup. You can use flour, cornstarch, tapioca, or other thickeners. It works best to put a little soup in a separate bowl and whisk the thickener to keep the soup from clumping.
Yes! This autumn squash soup is loaded with potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. While it does have some sugar, it’s a tiny amount. If that bothers you, it’s fine to swap it with a sweetener of your choice or omit it.
To add a little extra sweetness, mix in some honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar. I recommend adding a small amount and tasting, then add more if needed until the desired flavor is reached. Adding a little extra apple cider will also sweeten the soup naturally.
While this is similar to Ina’s Butternut squash soup recipe, this has a few extra spices that duplicate Panera’s autumn squash soup.
A naturally vegetarian soup, it’s easy to make this vegan as well. Omit or replace the cream cheese with your favorite plant-based cream cheese, replace the butter with olive oil and you are all set!

Equipment Recommendations
You can easily make this soup using equipment you have around your kitchen, but here are a few that might make this soup even easier.
- Heavy Bottomed Soup Pot | I like this Calphalon pot, for even heating and it doesn’t break the bank.
- Sharp Knife, Y Peeler and a cutting board, this helps to cut that butternut squash easier.
- Immersion blender, regular blender or a high-speed blender | these tools help get the job done.

More Fantastic Fall Flavor Recipes
Panera Autumn Squash Soup pairs well with many dishes. Here are a few ideas that you will love to try!
- Wild Rice Harvest Salad
- Sweet Molasses Brown Bread Rolls
- Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread
- Pumpkin Spice Honey Bun Cake
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
More Copycat Panera Recipes
- Tortellini Alfredo
- Orange Scones (Panera Copycat)
- Panera Pickled Red Onions (Quick Refrigerator Pickled Onions)
Check out ALL of the fantastic fall flavor recipes at the end of this post!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!
More #FallFlavors Recipes Below:
Appetizers and Snacks
- Caramel Pecan Clusters from An Affair from the Heart
- Carrot Top Hummus from Savory Moments
- Fall Charcuterie Board from Magical Ingredients
- Roasted Red Pepper and Crab Savory Cheesecake from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sweet And Spicy Roasted Nuts from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Breakfast and Baked Goods
- Apple Cranberry Pecan Overnight Oats from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Cinnamon Apple Bread from Lemon Blossoms
- Sweet Potato Pancakes from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Soups and Salads
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup from Devour Dinner
- Panera Autumn Squash Soup from The Fresh Cooky
- Salmon Salad With Grapes And Pecans from Art of Natural Living
Side Dishes
- Apple Butter Dijon Roasted Brussel Sprouts With Candied Pecans And Green Apple from Soulfully Made
- Butternut Squash And Bacon Risotto from SueBee Homemaker
- Loaded Bacon And Kale Salad from Palatable Pastime
- Roasted Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts And Butternut Squash from Eat Move Make
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash from Hostess At Heart
Main Dishes
Welcome to #FallFlavors where more than 25 food bloggers are sharing recipes with favorite Fall flavors. Our sponsors, Millican Pecan, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Nairn’s, and Republic of Tea, have furnished participating bloggers with complimentary product to use in their recipe creations that they will be sharing this week. These same sponsors have generously offered prizes for our giveaway so be sure to enter and share with your friends so they can enter too. Be sure to follow our Fall Flavors Pinterest account for more inspiration.
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Let the aroma of fresh apple and mulled cider spices envelop you as you sip this golden infusion. The crisp, lingering finish will leave you wanting more! A naturally-caffeine free blend of apples, cinnamon cloves and ginger. Reminiscent of apple cider, with the luscious aroma of cinnamon and cloves, make this cup the perfect accompaniment to the colors of the harvest season.
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Six (6) winners will be randomly selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. Bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Winners have 24 hours to respond once notified by email, or they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner will be chosen. The #FallFlavors bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members living in the household cannot enter or win the giveaway. Entries will be verified. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter giveaway and the contest is open only to US residents. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #FallFlavors posts or entries. Thank you to our sponsors Millican Pecan Company, Dixie Crystals, Melissa’s Produce, Taylor & Colledge, Republic of Tea, and Nairn’s for providing prizes.
We have cooler weather on the horizon here in Florida and this will be perfect for lunch.
Oh yes, it is perfect for those days!
Their soups are so good! I cannot wait to try this. It looks so hearty and perfect for a cool fall day.
Thanks so much Christie, I know you will love this soup!
Such a beautiful, creamy looking soup! I need our weather to cool down so I can start enjoying these flavors again!
Thank you Amy, I hear you, sometimes you just have to show the weather who’s who!
This soup looks delicious!
Thank you so much Michelle, it is soo delicious!
This is such an amazing soup and one of my favorites! I make it each fall and always love it. Your looks perfect!
Love hearing that, hope you love this version too!
So much good food, so little time!!!!!
Indeed Bob, indeed!
Yum! This year I intend to have lots of healthy soup in the freezer!
Amen sister, I hear you!
One of my favorite things to get at Panera, can’t wait to try it at home. Oh, and will have to double the pepitas, because half of them will never make it to the soup!
Haha, yes, for sure, those pepitas are a huge addition!
Oh my! This is heaven! The soup is creamy and silky. Love it!
Thank you so much Radha!!
I love making this and freezing it to enjoy all fall long!
Yes, it is so perfect for that Lisa!
This soup was full of fall flavors and I loved it! It was packed with nutrients and yumminess! Can’t wait to make more!
Soups on all year here. I need to try this soon!
Right, same with us Cindy!
This soup screams fall time. It looks so creamy and delicious
It truly does, healthy and filling too!
This put me in the mood for fall! Couldn’t wait so this was dinner tonight! Everyone loved it!
Yay, so grateful to hear that Nikki!
This looks so rich and creamy.
It really is, but without all the fat!
What a creamy, flavorful and comforting soup. Can’t wait to taste it.
I hope you love it Jennifer!
Who doesn’t love a good copycat? YUM!
Right! I couldn’t agree more Lynn, thank you!
I love squash and this soup is cooking away as we speak. I love how creamy it is and the flavor is amazing!
Oh that makes me happy, so glad you love it!